𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 (𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚!𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙭𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧)

Chapter Thirteen: Lady-in-waiting

Character Introduction has been updated with a new character :)

I walked down the elongated hall with each step, making me nervous. I was always the shy type, and had invariably envied each person that had many group of friends and can attract people around them like a social butterfly.

My mother was like those people. I even tried mimicking the same thing whenever they held parties back at the manor. Though, I always come off stuttering and making myself stultify to attempt on being someone I wasn't. Someone that I wished to be.

My thoughts were cut off when the doors opened at the throne room where I assumed the lady-in-waiting was. The room was empty, as usual. The king and queen were always busy running around to fulfill their duties, and that always made me fear the worst.

I always had to remind myself that I was just not a wife to a prince, I was a wife to the crowned prince. Which means I will be the future queen as well. If only I could rewind time back, maybe I shouldn't have attended the ball.

"I am very pleased to meet you, your royal highness!" a high-pitched tone of voice said, catching me off guard. I darted my eyes away from the window to see a young lady with fair, smooth skin and long, wavy brunette hair and emerald green eyes that compliments her heart shaped head.

She beamed and fluttered her eyes open and stood still after her curtsy. "It's very nice to meet you, I'm (y/n)." I chuckled and turned around, making my way to the table with a large window and two leather chairs from across each other.

I took my seat and beckoned her over as she nod her head in respond. One of the maids that accompanied me over went out of the throne room to get some beverage while I looked at the new lady in the palace. "I'm Liv Katharina, your highness." she introduced herself, "Well, I do hope that we will be able to be friends, Liv," I let out a quiet laugh while I put a hand up to my mouth to cover.

"It has been quite lonely here with the maids busying themselves in these palace walls. I have no one to talk to!" I shrugged both of my shoulders and sighed, "Well, your highness, you have me now as your faithful servant," she replied with a soft tone, her hands glued to her lap.

Andrea came back with a tray of soft cookies and freshly brewed tea, she placed it down on the table while I whispered my appreciation. I took a sip of the tea, the smell of black tea swirling around me with the earthly, sweet and floral aroma.

Not many people in the palace liked coffee, and so I thought that trying tea from time to time would be a better choice. Especially if a guest would come over, just like today. Andrea stood beside me while we exchanged eye contact a small smile.

"I've heard many stories about how your and his highness, the crowned prince had met, lady (y/n)!" Liv said in fascination, placing down her cup of tea on the oak table. I raised a brow in surprise an leaned forward with interest, "Like what, Liv?" I asked.

"Well, they say you and his highness had met you on the ball or had fallen in love at first sight somewhere in the capital, while some say you and his highness had a one night stand but her majesty found out and forced him to marry you," Liv went on, almost making me choke from the tea I drank.

To think that some people would go as far as to theorize that I was with child was preposterous. "Say, your highness, how did you two meet?" Liv asked, making me sink my back to the chair while I tried to decipher on what to say.

I forced out a smile and could only let out a nervous laugh, "Well...it is true that we met at the ball. But I bear no child of his," I shook my head no with furrowed brows, circling the tip of my index finger around the rim of the cup as to try to hide my perplexed look.

"I didn't know that I was even dancing with the prince, for we had our own masks to hide our identity. But we instantly clicked, and that's where it all started." I glanced up while I told her a lie, the look on her face was seemingly neutral as she nod her head. "It must have been a fairytale! You're very lucky, lady (y/n)." she chuckled.

I took a sip of the tea and placed it down gently on the table with hands clasped, "What do you think of the prince?" I asked out of curiosity, trying to get the topic of how we met off of her mind. A faint blush came across Liv's cheeks as she glanced down on her hands, "Well, your highness...when I first saw him, he was such a charming man! I honestly couldn't take my eyes off of him!" she said with gleaming emerald eyes.

"I honestly didn't know what he saw in you, lady (y/n)!" she said while waving her hand, the sudden outburst knocking me back speechless. "Lady Liv! That is not a nice thing to say to her highness!" Andrea suddenly snapped with a defensive tone, I glanced up at her with wide eyes while she looked at Liv with her stern gaze.

"Oh, my! I didn't mean it that way, my lady! I meant it by...curiosity, lady (y/n). To think the crowned prince who rejected every maiden was to fall in love with you made me think of what he must have saw in you." she said, nervously chuckling to her answer. I glanced down to her hands, her knuckles balled to a fist while she clenched on her skirt tight.

I stood up from the chair with my chin up high as Liv looked up at me, I cast her a smile "I understand, Liv. I wouldn't want to waste much more of your time, I will let Andrea take you to your chamber so you can start unpacking." I explained, turning to my heels and taking my leave.

Liv Katharina, a vile one indeed.